Emma Pooley, in her last race before switching to endurance triathlons, played a brilliant selfless role in the 98-kilometres event - seven laps of a 14km undulating course - and finished with silver as Armitstead triumphed

Lizzie Armitstead led an England one-two ahead of retiring team-mate Emma Pooley in a sensational Commonwealth Games women's road race on the final day of Glasgow 2014.

Pooley, in her last race before switching to endurance triathlons, played a brilliant selfless role in the 98-kilometres event - seven laps of a 14km undulating course - and finished with silver as Armitstead triumphed.

Bronze went to South Africa's Ashleigh Pasio in a photo finish ahead of Australia's Tiffany Cromwell. Amy Roberts was the only Welsh rider to finish in 14th with Hayley Jones, Katie Curtis and double track medallist Elinor Barker all dropping out, while Scotland's Katie Archibald fell out of contention on the final lap.

Armitstead finished with silver behind Australia's Rochelle Gilmore in Delhi four years ago and claimed Britain's first medal of London 2012, with Olympic silver behind Marianne Vos of Holland.

Now the 25-year-old from Otley has the title she has long craved.

Armitstead, a 2009 team pursuit world champion on the track, won the 2013 British title on the same Glasgow course, albeit with an extra lap, and was confident heading into the race, determined to shed her perennial runner-up status.

Pooley initiated the burst which led to the formation of a select group of seven riders on the fifth lap. Pooley continued to attack in tactics which played into English hands. If she could go alone, she would; if she was chased, Armitstead was present.

Armitstead, who crashed out of contention in last Sunday's La Course by Le Tour in Paris, had wanted a tough race and difficult conditions and the rain began to fall on the penultimate lap.

Pooley attacked alone and Armitstead joined her on Great George Street before accelerating ahead alone at the point where she made her move in the British Championships.

Armitstead then soloed to a stunning triumph, with a tearful Pooley 25 seconds behind.

Roberts said: "It was hard work but it was good and I enjoyed it. I’m happy to have been in that front group.

"I missed the break but I was happy.

"The rain got pretty bad at the end. It was pretty horrible but we got through it.

"It was hard for us because we didn’t have the numbers but we all did what we could for each other and I tried my best.

"I wasn’t really aware of where the other girls were until quite late in the race and I turned around and they weren’t there.

"I was surprised but I battled on to the end.

"The whole experience has been amazing and it’s been a really enjoyable Games.

"Hopefully we can build on this and look towards the next Commonwealths.

"We’re a young squad and there is a lot more to come. Elinor did amazing on the track and hopefully we can all improve again over the next few years.